The Baby Formula

In the beginning... sperm came from men

Two adventurous women in love are desperate to have their own biological child. They take a chance on an experimental scientific process and make sperm from their own stem cells. Pregnant with humour and unexpected twists, their journey tailspins out of control when their families discover there is no father.

During The Baby Formula shoot there were many memorable moments, but I will never forget this one: After shooting a particularly emotional monologue with Rosemary Dunsmore, I called ‘cut’ and looked around the room. Our first AD, Pierre Oulette was standing just off camera to provide an eye line for Rosemary to play to. Tears were streaming down his face. My eyes tracked around the room, surveying the rest of our small crew. The camera assistants, PA’s, electrics and yes – even the grips were all wiping away tears. That was as powerful a performance as I’ve seen on all my years on set.

Rosemary brought to life Wanda, the right wing, religious, homophobic mother of Athena brilliantly. I have watched film festival audiences wince at Wanda’s frustrating behaviour, cringe at her irritating ways, laugh at her points of view, and before you know it Rosemary finesses Wanda into a character who is worthy of empathy and whose growth warms their hearts.

Last night Rosemary Dunsmore was chosen by her peers to be the recipient of the Toronto Actra Award for Outstanding Female Performer for her work in TBF. I am so grateful that the Actra jury saw fit to recognize her talent, and also the talent of TBF’s second nominee, the gracious Megan Fahlenbock. Thanks to the nominating jury members: Kelsey Matheson, Alan Powell, Marcia Bennett, John Boylan, Kelly Fanson. Thanks to the final jury members: Jayne Eastwood, Maria Del Mar, Miriam Laurence, Andrew David Long and Aaron Poole. Thanks also to Cayle Chernin for facilitating the whole process, and to Actra staff members: Eda Zimler, Tasso Lakas, Clare Johnston, and Karen Ritson.

Making this film would not have been possible without the generosity of the entire stellar cast through the Actra TIP program. Thanks, especially, to all of you.

Berlin was great! After Natasha, Paul and I plastered the town with TBF posters,
the word was out and the stage was set. We had great turnouts to our market screenings, and Natasha sold rights to Cinemien (www.cinemien.nl) in Benelux. We also got offers for several other major territories. More news on that soon!

It was great to hang out with the Canadians: Ron Mann, Brigitte Hubmann, Scott Ferguson, Jason St-Laurent, Charlie Boudreau, Joan Schafer… We also met John Greyson, who’s latest film Fig Trees was in Panorama. What a sweet guy. And partied at the Canadian Embassy in Potsdamer Platz. Nice Place!

Now it’s on to Vancouver where TBF is the opening night film of the Women in Film Festival. And then off to Korea in April for the International Women’s Film Festival in Seoul (IWFFIS)

Did anyone see today’s playback? Guess who’s In the Director’s Chair section?

Erwin Houtenbrink is our latest hero. He programmed The Baby Formula to the 38th International Film Festival Rotterdam – one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. Maybe straight fathers should really be considered one of our key marketing demographics because they sure step up to the plate when it comes to standing up for us. He said, “I simply loved the film. It just worked for me. I just about cried. Well, I did.”

Thanks Erwin. As a result of your invitation, Alison and I got to spend time meeting with industry pros and filmmakers from around the world. Our sold out screenings had our best audience reactions so far and prompted immediate sales inquiries. We’ve got good vibes going into the European Film Market Berlin.

Speaking of good vibes… we hitched at train to Amsterdam for a day. I love that town – there’s so much to see and do. You can walk the historic 12th century streets to the Rijksmuseum, see a live sex show, visit Anne Frank House, or a coffee shop, or the maybe the famous the Van Gogh Museum. You can even go to some places twice. The best thing would be to hook up with our friend Denise and her girlfriend Evelijn. Their tour begins with laughs then there’s Indonesian food and then it ends with laughs.

We are thrilled to announce THE BABY FORMULA will be represented for International Sales by Natasha Rybina of Filmoption International! The EFM in Berlin will be her first market with the film. Screening Info is below.

We spent the full day on Monday travelling home from Whister. I woke up Tuesday morning in a grog which disappeared the instant I saw the email from the Rotterdam International Film Festival inviting The Baby Formula to participate. Yeah!

PARTY @ SLACKS, SAT JUNE 20TH

Your movie ticket stub from any screening of The Baby Formula on June 19th or 20th, will get you into our "Meet the Cast" Party at Slacks, 562 Church St, starting at 9:30.
This is an official event of Pride Toronto who is a Co-Presenter of the first week of screenings.
Vodka courtesy of Vodka Ice!

TBF PARTNERS

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CHIC DANCE – Friday April 17th!

Tickets are almost sold out for the hugely popular Chic Dance at the Palais Royale. It's a women's only event for the lesbian community, and there will be a give away of Baby Formula tank tops. See you there!
http://www.ticketweb.ca/snl/EventListings.action?orgId=16904